'Hawaii Five-o' Star Jack Lord Testifies In Fraud Trial

September 13, 1985|From Associated Press

HONOLULU ? Jack Lord, who starred in the TV series "Hawaii Five-O," testified in the real-life drama of a former businessman accused of running a $22-million fraud scheme.

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Lord testified Wednesday in federal court in the case of Ronald Rewald, who is accused of scores of fraud, perjury and income tax charges.

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The actor said that he had considered Rewald a friend, but denied Rewald's claim that he was a consultant for the now-defunct investment firm of Bishop, Baldwin, Rewald, Dillingham & Wong.

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Lord testified that he was unaware that his name was listed on the company's organization chart, that one of the company's offices was referred to by staffers as "Jack Lord's office," or that his name was painted on one of the company's reserved parking stalls.

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"If he (Rewald) had told anyone that I was occupying an office . . . it would have been a damnable lie," Lord said.

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"I hate to be used. Anyone hates to be used," he said. "I would have considered that being used."

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Prosecutors contend that Rewald bilked millions of dollars from investors in order to finance an expensive life style.

Rewald says that he set up and ran the company at the direction of the Central Intelligence Agency. The agency has admitted only a minor connection with the firm, which went bankrupt in 1983.